Job Posting: Division Director, Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division, CEA B

Department of Food & Agriculture

JC-480045
-
Division Director, Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division, CEA B
C. E. A.

$10,048.00 - $20,748.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 6/17/2025

Job Description and Duties

  • Develop and evaluate policies to ensure compliance with legislative mandates, including but not limited to Food and Agricultural Code (FAC) Section 5915, and mitigate environmental impacts on California's citrus industry.
  • Develop and implement a systems approach to protect citrus crops, including exclusion, detection and proactive response strategies to address potential pest infestations and execute control measures.
  • Develop and implement strategic plans to further the study of Huanglongbing (HLB) control or eradication, ensuring alignment with scientific advancements.
  • Develop and oversee budget and fiscal policies to ensure adequate funding for division activities and compliance with audit requirements.
  • Oversee the preparation of financial reports and statistical analyses to support informed decision-making and program accountability.
  • Serve as the Incident Commander for Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) and HLB initiatives, acting as the primary subject-matter expert for CDFA programs.
Candidates may perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

The duties of this position are primarily conducted indoors. The incumbent's office is equipped with standard office furnishings, a computer, a telephone with voicemail, and stationery filing drawers and bins.

Travel (including nights, weekends, and holidays) for extended periods may be required, by air, State vehicle or other transportation methods, to various locations throughout the United States.

Regular or recurring telework may occur as part of the incumbent’s ongoing regular schedule in accordance with CDFA’s Telework Policy.

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-480045
Position #(s):
014-350-7500-001
Working Title:
Division Director, Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division, CEA B
Classification:
C. E. A.
$10,048.00 - $20,748.00 B
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

Department Information

Agriculture is a major industry for the Golden State. With 76,400 farms and ranches, California agriculture is a $54 billion dollar industry that generates at least $100 billion in related economic activity. The mission of the California Department of Food and Agriculture is to serve the citizens of California by promoting and protecting a safe, healthy food supply, and enhancing local and global agricultural trade, through efficient management, innovation and sound science, with a commitment to the environmental stewardship.

Special Requirements

This position is designated under the Conflict-of-Interest Code. The position is responsible for making or participating in the making of governmental decisions that may potentially have a material effect on personal financial interests. The appointee is required to complete Form 700 within thirty (30) days of appointment, on an annual basis, and upon vacating the position. The incumbent must complete an Ethics orientation training course within six months of assuming a Form 700 covered position, and every two (2) years thereafter, by December 31 of each numbered year. Failure to comply with the Conflict-of-Interest Code requirements.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 6/17/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Food & Agriculture
Attn: Human Resources Branch JC-480045
1220 N Street, Room 242
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Food & Agriculture
Human Resources Branch JC-480045
1220 N Street, Room 242
Sacramento, CA 95814
ELECTRONIC APPLICATION IS PREFERRED. All mail or drop-off applications must include JC-480045
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
  • Statement of Qualifications - A completed Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted with your State Application to be considered. The SOQ must follow the specifics as stated in the “Special Requirements” section. 
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Examination Qualification Requirements

All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.

Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.

Entrance Qualifications

All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.
Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.

Minimum Qualifications

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

General Qualifications

State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.

Knowledge and Abilities

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy – influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy -influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:

1. Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; and personnel management techniques; the department's or agency's Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives; and a manager's role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program.

2. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; and prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department's or agency's Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.
These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):

These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):

CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level.

Examination Information

If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores.

A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results.

The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months.

Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates.

The examining Department reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service law and rules and all competitors will be notified.

Special Testing Arrangements

If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Human Resources Contact:
Rachel Bonn
(916) 639-5011
rachel.bonn@cdfa.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Office of Civil Rights
(916) 654-1005
Civil_Rights@cdfa.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Length of List Eligibility

The results of this examination will only be used to fill the position of Director, Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division, CEA B and may be used to fill subsequent vacancies for this position for a period of 12 months. Examination/Employment Applications (STD. 678), will be retained for 12 months. The department may elect to consider new applicants in addition to those previously screened.

Statement of Qualifications Criteria

In addition to the Examination/Employment Application (STD. 678), all interested applicants must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). The SOQ is comprised of the six (6) factors listed below which address how each applicant's education, training, experience, and skills qualify them for the position. The SOQ also serves as documentation of each applicant's ability to present information in a clear and concise manner. The SOQ must be typed in 12-point font and no longer than four (4) single sided pages. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents will not be considered a response to the SOQ. The SOQ must be completed in the exact order presented and provide responses to each of the following factors:

  1. Describe your experience in emergency management and communications, particularly the ability to handle sensitive issues and maintain partnerships with various stakeholders.
  2. Describe your leadership style and provide examples of your ability to develop and implement both strategic and tactical plans.
  3. Describe your experience overseeing financial and administrative activities of a program including budget management, risk assessments, personnel management, and interpreting relevant governmental rules or policies.
  4. Describe your experience exploring, developing, and implementing improvements in a program based on the best available science to enhance its performance, efficiency, and effectiveness.
  5. Describe your experience representing a department (or similar organization) and working collaboratively with boards or advisory committees.
  6. Describe how your experience, education, and/or training in supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace has enabled you to be an effective and engaging leader.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job